Hi,
I have a new tenant that on paper should be a great choice. Professional, passed referencing with ease…
Prior to moving in he was responsive and cooperative, replying on the same day to all messages, even if it was just to say ‘Thanks’.
Since he got the keys there appears to have been a change with radio silence. Maybe I am reading too much into it, only time will tell.
Is this behaviour typical?
Thanks
I do sometimes find that there is less incentive for some tenants to reply in any timely manner once they’ve moved in. As you say, time will tell.
Depends why you still contacting them, unless there are statutory requirements like gas safety check you should have no need to bother them. If a landlord was chasing me for small things I would also go silent.
I contacted him for legitimate reasons. We haven’t yet finished the initial set up stage. For example he has yet to return the inventory signed, having left it with him to review at his leisure. I also sent him a message to inform him of a mix in meter reading on check in (meter was labelled with plot number instead of apartment number resulting in wrong meter read) and at the same time I enquired if he was settling in OK. I got no reply.
Would you go silent under these circumstances? I’m not sure what you think are “small things”.
You should always get the inventory signed before you hand over the keys. Its pretty much useless if you don’t. You can then give them a few days to report any differences they discover.
It does sound like you are at fault here.
Presumably you have a contract which allows for landlord visits. At your first opportunity organise an inspection. If cooperation is given well and good. If not then hope that they are a long term tenant.
I think it was a false alarm and maybe I was over sensitive at his lack of responsiveness from the moment he got the keys.
He finally made contact and will deal with the inventory over the weekend when he isn’t working.
thats an amber right there. next step advise you need to come over and check something in two days time say let me know if that is is an issue. ie you will go unless he has an objection. i presume you have used other contact methods? sometimes people just change an e mail or go on holiday etc
Grand. It is always a relief to have the reassurance of communication
Cheers
I would suggest making an appointment to see him over the weekend to collect the inventory, and discuss any issues therein.
I wouldn’t be very happy if a new tenant started ignoring necessary communication from the start. I always make my tenants aware that communication is the #1 priority, after paying the rent and looking after the property.
I am not new to letting out property, but I am new to OpenRent and dealing with tenants directly. Prior to that, I used an agent’s managed service so a lot of this communication took place behind the scenes without my involvement. (They decided to increase their commission so I didn’t use them for this property)
I am feeling my way around this currently. I don’t want to come across as a soft touch, but I don’t want to be overbearing either.
I would strongly urge you to do some training before you make a simple error that costs you £thousands.
What sort of training do you have in mind?
Something like this: Landlords Fundamentals | NRLA
why are you bugging him asking him if he is settling in OK? and the whole point about the inventory is you get it signed at the time and before giving the keys. The meter sounds strange but I guess could be a valid reason to contact him. but if you contact too much on small things you turn people off.
Graham, Let’s just say our views are a million miles apart on ‘Landlord - Tenant communications’. I do not see a brief “how are you settling in” while contacting him for a legitimate reason, is “bugging him”.
Maybe a new topic on what is appropriate communication between tenant and landlord could be useful on this forum. But I think your views are already clear on this.
I don’t have the desire or inclination to keep going back and forth with you on this. So I wish you would go silent.
Fairly standard for tenants to go unresponsive.
Unless they need something, of course.
Part of the contract between a tenant and landlord states that the tenant should have a right to quite enjoyment of the property. I’m not suggesting that you have broken that rule, however since by your own admission your new to self managing your property/properties I would suggest getting as much free on line training as possible.
I can appreciate you wanting your signed inventory back, however like someone else stated, this should of been done before handing over the keys.
Communication is important, however just be careful as to when and how you do so.
Good luck.
Let’s just say you seem to have no idea what you are doing!